GTMC UPDATE

Adrian Parkes

This is my last column as I step down this summer to embrace retirement, so a review of events in my role here seemed fitting.

In the ever-changing world of business travel one constant is our love of acronyms: GDPR, PSD2, IATA, and even GTMC.

One that continues to grab attention is APD. Intended to contribute towards countering the environmental impact of aviation, there appears to be little evidence of what relevant activity the tax has supported. While we welcome initiatives that promote environmental concerns, we would be more supportive if these funds were going towards investment in sustainable transport around the country’s regional airports, for example, rather than straight to the treasury.

NDC has also kept me busy. It seems to be stuck in commercial negotiations and complex technology development for TMCS. Hopefully, airlines working on their own solutions will take a consultative approach to market implementation.

I won’t miss the acronyms, but I will miss the industry and the friends and contacts I have made over the years. Thanks for an unforgettable 25 years in the industry.

Chief Executive, GTMC